Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the best wide receiver to ever play in the National Football League, and arguably the greatest player of all time. During his 15-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls (Super Bowl XXIII (’88), Super Bowl XXIV (’89) and SB XXIX (’94)) and one Super Bowl MVP. He enjoyed three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, including a Super Bowl appearance and one season with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring in 2005. Rice was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in January 2010, his first year of eligibility.

Rice’s meticulous preparation and work ethic during his 20-year NFL career became legendary. He holds 36 NFL records – a record in itself. Has scored the most touchdowns in NFL history (208) and holds virtually every significant career receiving record, including receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895), all-purpose yards (23,546), touchdown receptions (197) and consecutive games with at least one catch (274).

After his retirement, Rice’s celebrity has grown beyond the football field. He finished second in the second season of the ABC hit-reality show Dancing with the Stars and has appeared on NBC’s Deal or No Deal and Law and Order SVU, FOX’s Don’t Forget the Lyrics, CBS’s The Class, CW’s The Game and One Tree Hill, Spike TV’s Pros vs. Joes, ABC’s American Inventor and The Biggest Loser. Rice took his love of golf on the Big Break’s 20th season, leading his team to victory against other NFL Legends on Big Break NFL Puerto Rico. He was a football analyst for ESPN and also co-hosted “Sports Sundays” with Raj Mathai on the San Jose NBC local affiliate. This success off the field and renowned work ethic has appealed numerous corporations to Rice, who is working as a brand ambassador/spokesperson for NIKE, Tiger Balm, Fanatics and Tri Star to name a few.

“The Sports Dinner is the flagship sports fundraiser in Ottawa. The Soloway Jewish Community Centre is proud to be the organizer of such a prestigious event,” says Soloway JCC President and COO, Barry Sohn. “Our committee covers every detail to make the evening and amazing experience.”

The Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner brings together elite members of Ottawa’s business community to raise much needed funds for the Soloway Jewish Community Centre’s scholarship programs for preschool, summer camps and membership.